Radio

Nixon videos released on Watergate anniversary

It is 40 years since former US president Richard Nixon made public the tape recording known as the 'smoking gun'Nixon at the White House with his family after his resignation as President on 9 August 1974Nixon at home in Washington with his wife Thelma (Pat) Ryan and his two daughters Julie and Tricia on 16 July 1952Apollo XI astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin laugh with President Nixon aboard the USS Hornet on 24 July 1969Nixon visits troops in Vietnam on 1 March 1970Nixon meets with Elvis Presley at the White House on 21 December 1970

It is 40 years ago since former US president Richard Nixon made public the tape recording that showed he approved the cover-up of the Watergate break-in.

Four days later, the 37th president resigned in disgrace.

Today, the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum, along with the Richard Nixon Foundation, put out his candid reflection on the scandal.

The interviews were recorded ten years after his resignation with his former White House aide Frank Gannon.

One new video per day is being published on YouTube through to Saturday 9 August.

In the recordings, he describes the difficult decision to step down under an impeachment cloud during the Watergate scandal in 1974.

He discusses his final day at the White House, when he signed the resignation agreement, gave a short speech and left for California.

On 17 June 1972 five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, DC.

The burglars were linked to the Republican president’s re-election committee who were trying to get information on his political opponents.

It was found that the Nixon administration attempted to cover-up its involvement.